Study in the UK

Explore the UK

Think the UK might be for you? You’re in the right place - and you’re certainly not alone. In academic year 2014-2015, 436,585 international students chose to further their education in England, Ireland, Scotland or Wales.

Second only to the USA in its popularity with overseas students, the UK is recognised worldwide for the outstanding quality of its higher education institutions. A notable 71 UK institutions appear in the QS World University Rankings 2015/16, with four ranked among the world’s top six.
While the UK may seem small from afar, its four countries and various regions have very different identities. To help you decide which part of the UK would be best for you, we have provided detail on the background and highlights of each region below. Read on to start exploring!

Scotland

At the northernmost reaches of the isle of Great Britain, Scotland is one of four countries that make up the United Kingdom. The Scots have a strong national identity and the country enjoys a high degree of autonomy within the UK. The independent spirit that pervades Scotland enhances the international student experience.

Scotland can be divided into three geographical regions. The Southern Uplands include a nearly 100-km border with England. This is a rural and largely agricultural region with a low population density. Further north are the Central Lowlands, home to capital-city Glasgow and historic Edinburg, chock-a-block with medieval architecture and historic sites. Meanwhile, Inverness is gateway to the wild northern Highlands region, known for its glens and craggy peaks.

Scotland is a relatively small place, but it is absolutely packed with culture and character. Cosmopolitan life prevails in Glasgow, while the arts and culture scene maintains a strong hold on Edinburgh. Many of Scotland’s best-known universities are found here, though you don’t have to look far to find other major contenders. The cities of Dundee, Sterling, Aberdeen and St Andrews are also home to famous academic institutions.

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Northern England

The North of England is an unofficial region, which usually consists of the North West, the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber. Far from the cosmopolitan wiles of London, the North stands for its vast, rolling green spaces (home to five national parks), historical attractions such as Hadrian’s Wall and Bamburgh Castle and – according to many connoisseurs – some of the best breweries in the UK.

In general, Northern England is more affordable than its southern counterparts. The cost of living is much lower than it is in and around London, which means that international students enjoy a favourable value-for-money proposition when enrolled at universities in Northern England. This is an ideal place to pursue internationally recognised credentials without paying exorbitantly in the process.

There are several prominent cities in this part of the UK. Liverpool, now synonymous with the Beatles, is among them. However, Liverpool’s legacy predates Beatlemania by centuries, and there are many heritage sites to explore here. York, with its spectacularly preserved medieval architecture and old Roman walls is not to be missed. Manchester is the fastest-growing city in England outside of London, and the city of Durham to the north-east is famous for its UNESCO-listed castle and beautiful cathedral.

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The Midlands & East

The Midlands and the East of England lie roughly in the central part of England, standing between metropolitan London and the rural North. Many of the finest universities in the UK are found here.

Many consider this region to be the heart of England. There is plenty on tap in this for outdoor lovers. Historic attractions abound, and while festivals, art galleries and museums fill out the cultural offerings.

The Midlands is often divided into the East and West Midlands. The East Midlands is a booming industrial region, home to cities including Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Derbyshire. The West Midlands are dominated by the second-largest city in the UK, Birmingham.

The East of England, as you might guess, occupies the easternmost region in the country. It’s home to Cambridge, one of the most prestigious universities in the world. However, there is much more to the list of academic offerings across the Midlands and East. Prominent universities towns in the region include Norwich, Essex, Nottingham, Coventry and Loughborough.

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Wales

While the Industrial Revolution gave the Wales the boost it needed to become a major economic player in the UK, this region has since gone on to bigger and diverse prospects. Today, the region offers a heady mix of cosmopolitan living, natural beauty and historic attractions. In all, there are nine officially recognised universities in Wales, three of which are listed among the top 400 worldwide according to Times Higher Education.

Industry still fuels much of South Wales, where the country’s capital city, Cardiff, is found. Many of the region’s best-known universities are located around Cardiff. International students enrolled near the capital enjoy excellent opportunities in terms of work placements and professional networking. Even so, Cardiff is a multi-faceted city with a booming waterfront lined with trendy restaurants and hotels.

West of Cardiff is Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, which occupies a small slice of land packed with incredibly coastal scenery. Nearby is the coastal resort of Swansea, with its Viking roots, which offers the full gamut of leisure activities for holidays and weekend getaways.

To the north, Wales becomes a much quieter and more rustic place. Perhaps the most famous attraction in this part of the region is Snowdonia National Park, with its mountain lakes, dense forests and sandy beaches.

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London

When it comes to studying in the UK, no single location can compete with the offerings of London. While the oldest and most prestigious institutes in the nation are found elsewhere, London easily offers the greatest selection of academic pursuits – as dynamic and multicultural as expected from such a high-calibre, global city. Home to a population of 10 million, London plays host to at least 18 universities within its metropolitan area.

Each year, QS World University Rankings rates the best cities for students. In 2014, London secured the number-two spot on the list (Paris was first). QS also listed a couple universities in London among its global top ten. Clearly, international students pursuing one of the best educations money can buy do well to give London plenty of consideration.

That said, the cost of living is admittedly high. Living and studying in London is by no means the most affordable proposition. However, many international students are able to capitalise on scholarships and grants to help subsidise the cost of earning a degree here.

This is an amazing city in which to be based. It boasts one of the finest public transit systems in the world, along with a seemingly endless supply of restaurants, shops and nightlife venues to enjoy.

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South West England

Of the nine official regions in England, the South West is the largest geographically, and some 5 million people live here. This region occupies the English coastline south across the Bristol Channel from Wales. People of the West Country – as it’s often called – are warm and hospitable, and have a strong sense of identity independent of the rest of England. There are 12 universities and four higher education colleges in the South West.

This is a popular tourist destination for people in the UK, famous for its ancient ruins, old-growth forests and locally produced apple cider. The coastline of the South West is pleasant, and there are several resort towns and theme parks in the region, especially around Cornwall and Devon. For international students based in this region, there are countless activities and attractions to enjoy at the weekend, not least the ancient World-Heritage-listed monoliths of Stonehenge.

Among the most important place in the South West are Somerset, Cornwall and Devon, each with universities on offer. Even when not actively exploring ancient ruins, walking along the UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast or visiting an amusement park with friends, there is plenty for students to do in this part of England. Wherever you venture in South West England, you’re always relatively close to a university town or, at minimum, a seaside village with its own charms and culture.

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South East England

South East England is located just outside of London, and it’s the closest region in the UK to continental Europe. As such, this region receives the most visitors of any in England. The South East enjoys a booming economy as well, and local universities have ample opportunity to form industry partnerships for work placement and research purposes.

World-renowned Oxford University is located in the South East and is a tourist attraction in its own right. Oxford is joined by no fewer than 15 other institutes of higher education. Many of the major towns in the South East have their own universities, including Kent, Reading, Brighton, Southampton, Portsmouth, Surrey and Sussex.

Windsor is a particularly popular destination in the South East. Visitors can catch the changing of the guard and Windsor Castle and visit Legoland theme park – two of the top-20 most popular attractions in the UK. Also in the region is the seaside resort of Brighton, popular for weekend retreats and romantic getaways. Not far down the coast is Bournemouth, another resort with golden sands and a light cosmopolitan edge.